Editor’s note: I read Daily Good most days and like the things they lead me to. It’s a volunteer organization that collects and publishes quotes and commentary regarding social good. This is an interview with now-famous Brene Brown, the behavioral research scientist who wrote “Daring Greatly” (featured book of the month some time ago). Dr. Brown is always a tough read because she studies and deals in emotions like shame, guilt and vulnerability. These are universally felt but largely ignored barrier emotions to courage and authenticity so I plow through her work in hopes I can learn more and change my own reaction to such emotion over time.

Excerpt: (I love this because my Mom often admonished us: “it’s not you I don’t trust, it’s human nature I don’t trust”): The easiest way to separate shame from guilt is to say shame is “I’m bad” and guilt is “I did something bad.” Shame is a focus on self; guilt is a focus on behavior. An easy parenting example would be saying, “You’re stupid” versus “You’re a great kid that made a bad decision.”

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1227/how-to-listen-to-pain-jill-suttie/